BACKGROUND The i-gel mask is a second-generation, single-use supraglottic airway device which does not have an inflatable cuff. The cuff consists of a thermoplastic elastomer and its mechanism of sealing still remains unclear. Various theories such as temperature-dependent changes in hardness and volume expansion as well as fluid absorption have been discussed. The aim of the present study is to investigate changes in volume, weight and density caused by temperature changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three i-gel masks (sizes 3, 4 and 5) were heated in a water bath from 10°C to 50°C in 5°C steps. The changes in weight, volume, and density were measured at each temperature step. In a second study, the identical parameters of masks (n = 5 of sizes 3, 4 and 5) used in patients were investigated. Results of volume and density between benchtop and patient measurements were examined for correlation. RESULTS All masks, regardless of the size investigated, showed a significant linear temperature-dependent volume expansion (sizes 3, 4 and 5 P less then 0.001), a weight increase (sizes 3 P = 0.018; 4 P = 0.027; and 5 P = 0.006) and a linear decrease in density (sizes 3, 4 and 5 P less then 0.001). There was a very strong correlation between the results of benchtop and patient measurements (volume P less then 0.001; density P less then 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We observed significant changes in all three properties investigated. Thus, a temperature-dependent volume expansion and weight increasement was observed, which can be considered as a further explanation for improved sealing after insertion.BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a recognized complication in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, no standard exists for optimal timing or a pharmacological agent for VTE prophylaxis (pharmacological thromboprophylaxis - PTP) in patients with TBI. PTP is often delayed out of fear of causing extension of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The purpose of this study was to report the frequency of VTE and ICH progression after initiation of PTP with a continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin in patients with moderate to severe TBI, and to identify risk factors associated with development of VTE. METHODS In this single-center retrospective study, patients with moderate to severe TBI admitted to the ICU of a Swiss Level I Trauma Center over a three-year period were analyzed. RESULTS In 23 (13%) of the 177 patients included in the study a VTE episode occurred during the hospital stay. ICH progression after initiation of PTP occurred in 7 (4%) patients. In a multivariable logistic regression model, only the timing of initiation of PTP was identified as an independent predictor of VTE. CONCLUSIONS In this study population, the risk of developing VTE increased with the delay of initiation of a pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, while ICH progression after initiation of PTP was a rare event.Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) occurs infrequently in never/former light smokers. We sought to study this rare clinical subset through next generation sequencing (NGS) and by characterizing a representative patient derived model. We performed targeted NGS, as well as comprehensive pathological evaluation, in 11 never/former light smokers with clinically diagnosed SCLC. We established a patient derived model from one such patient (DFCI168) harboring an NRASQ61K mutation and characterized the sensitivity of this model to MEK and TORC1/2 inhibitors. Despite the clinical diagnosis of SCLC, the majority (8/11) of cases were either of non-pulmonary origin or of mixed histology and included atypical carcinoid (n=1), mixed non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and SCLC (n=4), unspecified poorly differentiated carcinoma, (n=1) or small cell carcinoma from different origins (n=2). RB1 and TP53 mutations were found in 4 and 5 cases, respectively. Predicted driver mutations were detected in EGFR (n=2), NRAS (n=1), KRAS (n=1), BRCA1 (n=1), ATM (n=1) and one case harbored a TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. DFCI168 (NRASQ61K ) exhibited marked sensitivity to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. The combination of MEK and mTORC1/2 inhibitors synergized to prevent compensatory mTOR activation, resulting in prolonged growth inhibition in this model and in three other NRAS-mutant lung cancer cell lines. SCLC in never/former light smokers is rare and is potentially a distinct disease entity comprised of oncogenic driver mutation-harboring carcinomas morphologically and/or clinically mimicking SCLC. Comprehensive pathologic review integrated with genomic profiling is critical in refining the diagnosis and in identifying potential therapeutic options. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) involving the liver as a focal space-occupying lesion is very rare, especially in the patients with cirrhosis. Here, we report a case of EMM in the liver and periportal lymph node, diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound guided-fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). A 57-year-old male patient, with history of cirrhosis, presented with abdominal pain and pancytopenia. The abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a 6.5 cm left hepatic mass with a 1.1 cm malignant-appearing periportal lymph node and diffuse osseous lesions. The cytology specimens from the hepatic mass and the periportal lymph node were obtained through EUS-FNA without rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). The thin-layer preparations (ThinPrep) showed abundant plasmacytoid cells, which were confirmed to be Kappa-restricted neoplastic plasma cells by the cell block preparations. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sodium-l-ascorbyl-2-phosphate.html Later, his serum level of Kappa light chain was found significantly elevated by flow cytometry, which was identified as monoclonal IgA Kappa light chain by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) with immunofixation. The patient was diagnosed as IgA multiple myeloma with extramedullary involvement of the liver and periportal lymph node. This is the first case showing the ThinPrep cytomorphologic features of EMM in the liver and periportal lymph node. This case highlights the importance of distinguishing plasma cells from being hepatocytes and lymphocytes on the ThinPrep and also emphasizes the utility of the cell block in the diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasm. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.